Baltimore Man Sentenced for Role in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

Baltimore, Maryland - A Baltimore man received his sentence today for his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy.

U.S. District Court Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Rivers Stewart, 55, to eight years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI - Baltimore Field Office; Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS); Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD); and Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD).

According to court documents, in June 2021, based on confidential source information and surveillance, law enforcement identified Carlos Scovens, 59, of Baltimore, Maryland, as an upper-level drug distributor operating in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. As a result, DEA investigators began monitoring Scovens' drug trafficking activities and determined Stewart was an associate.

Based on a wiretap investigation and confidential informants, law enforcement also discovered that Stewart engaged in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances with Scovens and others. Investigators intercepted calls between Stewart and Scovens discussing the distribution of controlled substances, including fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base.

During the investigation, law enforcement observed Stewart, along with Scovens, Keyshawna Ellis, 29, of Baltimore, Maryland, and other co-conspirators using a Northeast Baltimore residence as a stash location. Investigators observed Scovens and Stewart meeting at this location on multiple occasions.

On April 18, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at the stash location where they recovered approximately 3,645 grams of fentanyl, 1,000 grams of cocaine, 399 grams of cocaine base, and 500 grams of heroin/fentanyl mixture. Stewart possessed approximately 3,645 grams of fentanyl and 500 grams of heroin/fentanyl mix with the intent to distribute them prior to the search.

Additionally, law enforcement executed search warrants at multiple other locations it observed Scovens meeting Stewart and at Stewart's house. Through the additional searches, investigators recovered approximately $45,413, and $17,925, at separate locations associated with Stewart, which are believed to be drug proceeds from other locations.

On January 16, 2026, Judge Hollander sentenced Scovens to 100 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a detectable amount of fentanyl. In December 2024, Ellis pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a detectable amount of fentanyl. Then in May 2025, Ellis received a two-year federal-prison term.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DEA, FBI, DPSCS, BPD, and BCPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys LaRai Everett and Jon Tsuei who prosecuted the case.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-mdLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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